#australian cricket bat companies

[sports-digest]

Choosing the Right Cricket Kit Brand: A Buyer’s Guide for Every Player

Introduction: The First Step Toward the 22 Yards

Cricket is not just a sport in many countries—especially in India—it’s a religion. Whether you’re a budding cricketer aiming for the district team or just someone who enjoys weekend games at the local park, owning a quality cricket kit is the first step toward enhancing your game. But here's the dilemma: With so many brands in the market, which one should you choose?

This question often haunts players, especially those buying a full cricket kit for the first time. A good brand doesn’t just mean a famous name; it represents trust, comfort, durability, and performance. In this article, we’ll walk you through the top cricket kit brands to consider, what to look for when buying, and how to make the best choice based on your level of play and budget.

What Makes a Great Cricket Kit Brand?

Before we jump into the brand names, let’s understand what separates an excellent cricket kit from an average one. A complete kit typically includes:

Cricket bat

Batting pads

Batting gloves

Helmet

Thigh guard

Abdominal guard (box)

Kit bag

Optional: Shoes, arm guard, elbow guard

A reliable brand ensures:

Quality of materials: From English willow bats to foam-padded gloves.

Ergonomic design: Ensures comfort and flexibility.

Durability: Stands the test of intense training sessions.

Value for money: Offers features suited for your playing level.

Top Cricket Kit Brands to Consider in 2025

1. SG (Sanspareils Greenlands)

Why choose SG? One of the most trusted cricket equipment brands in India, SG is known for its high-quality English willow bats and robust protective gear. Many Indian cricketers including Rishabh Pant have used SG products.

Best for: Beginners to advanced players Pros:

Wide range of kits for all budgets

Trusted by professionals

Excellent padding and grip

2. SS (Sareen Sports)

Why choose SS? SS bats are world-renowned, and the brand is synonymous with professional-grade performance. Their “Ton” series bats are especially popular.

Best for: Intermediate to professional players Pros:

High-quality bats, including Grade 1 English willow

Strong, comfortable gloves and pads

Stylish designs

3. MRF (Madras Rubber Factory)

Why choose MRF? MRF is not just about tires! They have become a premium bat brand, endorsed by legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. While not the most economical, their quality is unmatched.

Best for: Serious cricketers and professionals Pros:

Superior performance bats

Great balance and pickup

Trusted by top-level players

4. Adidas

Why choose Adidas? Adidas brings international-grade manufacturing to cricket. Their kits are designed with cutting-edge materials and innovative protective designs.

Best for: Players seeking international standard gear Pros:

Modern design and premium feel

Trusted for comfort and style

Great helmets and gloves

5. Kookaburra

Why choose Kookaburra? This Australian brand is known for delivering high-quality cricket kits that are used worldwide. Their products are made with precision and are highly durable.

Best for: All-round players from intermediate to advanced levels Pros:

International appeal and quality

Lightweight pads and gloves

Bats with great ping

6. DSC (Delux Sports Company)

Why choose DSC? An emerging name that’s now making waves in the cricket world. DSC offers kits that combine quality and affordability.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers Pros:

Affordable yet dependable

Good beginner kits

Light gear suitable for juniors and amateurs

How to Choose the Right Brand for Yourself

Not all players need international-level equipment. Here’s how to find the right match:

1. Consider Your Playing Level

Beginner: Start with budget-friendly but durable options like SG, DSC, or SS.

Intermediate: You can go for mid-range kits from SS, Kookaburra, or Adidas.

Advanced/Professional: Invest in premium-grade bats and protective gear from MRF, SS, or Adidas.

2. Focus on Bat Quality

The bat is the soul of your cricket kit. Always look for:

The type of willow (English for quality, Kashmir for durability)

Weight and pickup (depends on personal preference)

Handle type (round or oval)

3. Check Protective Gear

Never compromise on helmets, pads, and gloves. Make sure they:

Fit well without being too tight

Have foam padding for shock absorption

Are breathable to avoid sweat buildup

4. Evaluate Kit Bags

You’ll need a strong, spacious, and easy-to-carry kit bag. Brands like SG and Adidas offer excellent options with padded straps and multiple compartments.

Mistakes to Avoid While Buying a Kit

Going just by brand name: A famous brand doesn’t guarantee suitability. Always check features.

Ignoring fit and comfort: Try on the pads and gloves to see if they fit properly.

Overpaying for pro-level gear: If you’re not playing tournaments, you don’t need the top-tier equipment.

Skipping reviews: Online reviews can help identify flaws that may not be obvious in-store.

Final Words: Your Game, Your Choice

Buying a cricket kit is not just a purchase—it’s an investment in your game. While SG and SS remain safe and reliable choices for Indian players, don’t shy away from exploring options like Kookaburra and DSC based on your needs.

Think beyond the price tag. A kit that feels comfortable, boosts your confidence, and holds up to regular play is worth every penny.

Whether you’re aiming for the Ranji Trophy or just planning a match with friends at your local ground, the right gear can elevate your game—and choosing the right brand is the first step in that journey.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] India women in all smiles against SL (PC: BCCI Women/X) Everything that could come good for India did so against Sri Lanka. A superb start followed by a brilliant effort from the skipper, a decent cameo from Jemimah Rodrigues and then a fantastic bowling and, more importantly, fielding effort. By winning as they did, India also got their net run rate (NRR) back on track. But the question is, will it be enough? Can we now say that India have managed to reopen the semi-final doors after two underwhelming games in Dubai, or is that premature? First, New Zealand have two games left. Their final match is on Monday, October 14, a day after India’s final pool game against Australia. And given Sri Lanka’s current form, it is a remote possibility that New Zealand will lose to them. Pakistan too aren’t really challenging opposition, and Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr and company will fancy beating them comfortably. In such a scenario, New Zealand would have ample opportunity to improve their NRR. They will also know exactly what they need when they step out on Monday, with India having played a day earlier. In fact, the scheduling could come back to bite India. While it is understandable that the ICC wanted to schedule India’s games on Sundays, that New Zealand play later gives them an advantage of sorts. All this, however, is assuming that India are able to beat a champion Australian side on Sunday, and New Zealand win their two remaining games as well. India Women outclasses Sri Lanka Women in Dubai. (PC: X.com) Can India beat Australia, or is that almost impossible? In Sharjah, India do have a chance. But in what is expected to be a low-scoring game on a slow and low wicket, the margin, either way, wouldn’t be huge. As a result, its impact on the NRR won’t be much. Then again, Australia won’t give India too many openings. The  chance that Harmanpreet Kaur offered to cover, a sitter, will not be put down like it was in the Sri Lanka game. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana won’t have it half as easy against Australia’s bowling and fielding. Maybe that’s where India will need clarity. Will Harman bat at No. 3 or 4? If so, why? Will the openers take their time, or try and make the most of the powerplay in difficult batting conditions? What India need against Australia is clear thinking. If there are a couple of early wickets, what’s the strategy going to be? Will the skipper still come out or will it be Jemimah? How do you best use Richa Ghosh? Is there the possibility of giving Radha Yadav a game with her fielding in mind? But then, who do you replace? That India looked so much better on the field was also because of Radha, whose stunning effort was surely the catch of the tournament. The game against Australia is a virtual knock-out. A game that could well have a huge bearing on the future of women’s cricket. Harmanpreet, who played a stellar hand against Sri Lanka, will have to do it again in the match that matters. A win against the world champions will give India a lifeline. Anything else, and they will surely be heading home. The stakes couldn’t be higher. India want a Bijoya Dashami gift from Harman, Smriti and the team. It is tough, yes, but not impossible. Also Read: Thank you, Rafa, for an unbelievable career The post Do India have what it takes to beat Australia and make the semis? appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] India women in all smiles against SL (PC: BCCI Women/X) Everything that could come good for India did so against Sri Lanka. A superb start followed by a brilliant effort from the skipper, a decent cameo from Jemimah Rodrigues and then a fantastic bowling and, more importantly, fielding effort. By winning as they did, India also got their net run rate (NRR) back on track. But the question is, will it be enough? Can we now say that India have managed to reopen the semi-final doors after two underwhelming games in Dubai, or is that premature? First, New Zealand have two games left. Their final match is on Monday, October 14, a day after India’s final pool game against Australia. And given Sri Lanka’s current form, it is a remote possibility that New Zealand will lose to them. Pakistan too aren’t really challenging opposition, and Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr and company will fancy beating them comfortably. In such a scenario, New Zealand would have ample opportunity to improve their NRR. They will also know exactly what they need when they step out on Monday, with India having played a day earlier. In fact, the scheduling could come back to bite India. While it is understandable that the ICC wanted to schedule India’s games on Sundays, that New Zealand play later gives them an advantage of sorts. All this, however, is assuming that India are able to beat a champion Australian side on Sunday, and New Zealand win their two remaining games as well. India Women outclasses Sri Lanka Women in Dubai. (PC: X.com) Can India beat Australia, or is that almost impossible? In Sharjah, India do have a chance. But in what is expected to be a low-scoring game on a slow and low wicket, the margin, either way, wouldn’t be huge. As a result, its impact on the NRR won’t be much. Then again, Australia won’t give India too many openings. The  chance that Harmanpreet Kaur offered to cover, a sitter, will not be put down like it was in the Sri Lanka game. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana won’t have it half as easy against Australia’s bowling and fielding. Maybe that’s where India will need clarity. Will Harman bat at No. 3 or 4? If so, why? Will the openers take their time, or try and make the most of the powerplay in difficult batting conditions? What India need against Australia is clear thinking. If there are a couple of early wickets, what’s the strategy going to be? Will the skipper still come out or will it be Jemimah? How do you best use Richa Ghosh? Is there the possibility of giving Radha Yadav a game with her fielding in mind? But then, who do you replace? That India looked so much better on the field was also because of Radha, whose stunning effort was surely the catch of the tournament. The game against Australia is a virtual knock-out. A game that could well have a huge bearing on the future of women’s cricket. Harmanpreet, who played a stellar hand against Sri Lanka, will have to do it again in the match that matters. A win against the world champions will give India a lifeline. Anything else, and they will surely be heading home. The stakes couldn’t be higher. India want a Bijoya Dashami gift from Harman, Smriti and the team. It is tough, yes, but not impossible. Also Read: Thank you, Rafa, for an unbelievable career The post Do India have what it takes to beat Australia and make the semis? appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[sjsports123]

Cricket Store - Everything You Need to Improve Your Game

Shop your favourite Big Bash team jerseys, tees, hoodies and training singlets. The perfect way to show your support this winter.

The store also offers a range of other sports equipment from the top brands like Gunn and Moore, Gray-Nicolls, SS, Kookaburra, & DSC. Additionally, it has a cricket specialist and provides custom made jerseys & bat repair service.

Bats

We sell the finest quality Australian cricket store Brisbane bats that are used by players from grassroots to elite level. All our bats are hand selected and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit your playing style.

We are also the Official Cricket Store of Brisbane Heat and carry a large selection of Big Bash League t-shirts & training singlets. We also sell a range of hoodies & polos for both men, women and kids so you can support your team this season.

We are also the exclusive stockists of Str8bat – the world’s first pocket-sized bat sensor that allows you to analyse your batting performance with real-time data including your wagon wheel, sweet spot percentage, bat lift angle, timing index & more.

Shoes

The right cricket shoes can make or break your game. They can help you achieve the proper stance and posture to face incoming balls, allow bowlers to grip the ground more solidly, and make fielders faster and more balanced. They also come in a range of styles, from rubber soles to full spikes, so choose the one that’s right for your position.

Whether you’re a batsman, bowler, or wicket keeper, you’ll find the perfect pair of cricket shoes at Rebel. They sell a wide variety of cricket shoes from trusted brands, including Kookaburra and ASICS, to suit players at any level of the sport. They’re available online or in-store, so you can pick up your new pair of cricket shoes today!

Helmets

If you want to stay safe when you play cricket sports, then helmets are a must-have. These helmets absorb harsh blows and offer you unparalleled comfort. They also protect you from head injuries, especially if the ball hits your head directly. Moreover, they also help you keep your eyes safe from the sun. Hence, it is important to buy a highquality cricket helmet online.

This Gray-Nicolls Atomic Helmet is designed for players who love playing all forms of cricket. It comes with an adjustable chin strap and semi-automatic buckle, which ensures a comfortable fit. It also has a removable visor and is ICC approved.

Whether you’re a budding amateur or seasoned professional, Western Sports Centre is your one-stop shop for cricket equipment and accessories. The store offers competitive pricing and a deep commitment to customer satisfaction. Its range includes top-tier brands like SG, Gunn & Moore, SS, Kookaburra, and Grey Nicolls. Additionally, the company sells cricket bats, pads, shoes, and training equipment.

Training Equipment

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an aspiring professional, we sell the cricket gear and accessories you need to improve your game. We’re also known for our competitive prices and deep commitment to customer satisfaction. Featuring top-tier brands like Gunn & Moore, Gray-Nicolls, Kookaburra, Adidas, SS, DSC, and MRF, our selection has something for every cricketer.

Our range of training equipment includes bats, shoes, gloves, helmets, and more.

We also sell the Str8bat cricket bat sensor, which allows you to analyse your batting. It displays your wagon wheel, bat lift angle, and sweet spot percentage to help you play better.

We also carry a wide selection of Brisbane Heat jerseys and clothing. These items are perfect for showing your support for your favourite BBL team this season. We also offer a variety of different purchasing options, including online pickup and delivery, to make it easy for you to get the cricket equipment you need. Our store also offers bat repair and training sessions on batting, bowling, and fielding by experienced Srilankan club cricketers.

[cricketequipment]

Best Cricket Bats English Willow: The Ultimate Guide

Cricket, a sport celebrated for its elegance, strategy, and sheer excitement, captivates millions of fans worldwide. At the heart of this enthralling game lies the indispensable tool that separates average players from true legends—the cricket bat. 

And when it comes to unparalleled craftsmanship and formidable power, nothing quite matches the prowess of the English Willow cricket bat.

Welcome to the world of top-notch cricket, where every shot is a work of art, and every boundary is a victory. 

In this in-depth guest post, we set out to demystify the world of English Willow cricket bats, investigating their special qualities and how you can choose the ideal tool for your game.

This guide promises to be your ideal companion whether you're an amateur or pro cricket player looking for the best bat to launch your career or a fervent fan ready to expand your knowledge. 

So, are you ready to elevate your game to new heights? 

Best Cricket Bats English Willow

Following are some of the best English willow cricket bats:

SS Cricket Bats

Indian company SS (Sareen Sports Industries) is well known for producing the highest calibre cricket gear. Professional cricketers highly prize their SS English Willow Bat, which is crafted from the finest English willow wood. 

The English willow tree, from which the English willow is derived, is recognized for its superior performance qualities. English willow bats are available from SS in various grades, with Grade 1 bats being the best. 

In addition, an SS English willow bat is regarded as one of the greatest options for serious cricketers because to its remarkable balance, power, and pick-up.

One of the best products of SS is SS Master 1000 English Willow Cricket Bat (Short Handle). This bat comprises premium English willow and features superb craftsmanship. 

Professional players favour it because of its exceptional balance and potent hitting surface. Batsmen can confidently play their shots thanks to the bat's great performance and control.

Kookaburra Cricket Bats

Australian company Kookaburra, which has a long history, is known for producing cricket gear of the finest calibre. Their masterfully handmade Kookaburra English Willow Bat is made from carefully chosen English willow wood. 

These outstanding cricket bats are made from English willow, a species renowned for its resilience and reactivity. English willow bats from Kookaburra perform superbly, thanks to their commitment to innovation and workmanship. 

The bats come in a number of ratings, including Grade 1, which ensures outstanding performance and quality. A Kookaburra English willow bat is, without a doubt, a top contender regarding dependability and performance.

One of the top products of Kookaburra is a big kahuna cricket bat - sh. The Big Kahuna Cricket Bat - SH is a strong and well-respected cricket bat for experienced players and amateurs. 

It was expertly and precisely crafted, and it has an excellent sweet spot and amazing performance. Players may generate maximum power and control with the bat's strong build and great balance, enabling explosive shots and precise strokeplay.

GM Cricket Bats

An established English company, GM (Gunn & Moore), has made cricket gear for over a century. Their English willow bats are renowned for being of the highest calibre and effectiveness. 

In order to produce bats that offer great power, balance, and precision, GM sources the finest English willow wood. Players are guaranteed access to the best English willow bats on the market in the Grade 1 category. 

Cricket bats from GM are a favourite of both pros and amateurs due to their dedication to innovation and meticulous attention to detail. A GM English willow bat is an investment in a tradition of excellence.

One of the top products of GM is GM Aiden Markram Players Edition DXM. An elite cricket bat, the GM Aiden Markram Players Edition DXM, is used by famous South African batsman Aiden Markram. 

This bat is expertly crafted by Gunn & Moore and uses the most recent technologies to provide exceptional performance. It boasts outstanding power, superb pick-up, and a big sweet spot thanks to its Grade 1 English Willow and meticulously calibrated weight distribution, letting batters confidently dominate the game.

SG Cricket Bats

Indian company SG (Sanspareils Greenlands) is well-known for making top-notch cricket bats. Although SG has a variety of bats available, their English willow variations stand out for their superior performance. 

These bats, made from carefully chosen English willow wood, offer exceptional balance, power, and feel. SG uses Grade 1 English willow to guarantee the finest performance and durability. 

You may enjoy the thrills of playing with one of the best cricket bats available by holding an SG English willow bat in your hands.

One of the top-rated bats of SG is The SG Maxstar Classic English Willow Bat - SH. It is a traditional cricket bat that combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary advancements. It has exceptional durability and responsiveness and is made from the finest English willow. 

The bat's balanced shape offers outstanding control and manoeuvrability, while its sharp edges and thick profile deliver exceptional hitting power. The SG Maxstar Classic is a dependable option for steady performance and is ideal for players of all skill levels.

Yashi Cricket Bats

Yashi is also one of the best brands in the cricket bat market, and it has quickly gained attention for its dedication to excellence and performance. English willow bats made by Yashi are expertly constructed and give players outstanding power and control. 

These bats provide excellent value for the money because they are made from the finest English willow wood. Yashi may have a different history than some other manufacturers. Still, their commitment to making English willow bats of the highest calibre has increased their fan base.

Yashi Brand's Pro-Player Bat is a top-of-the-line cricket bat created for professional players who demand the highest levels of performance and quality. Grade 1 English Willow is used in its meticulously handcrafted construction for greater strength and responsiveness. 

The bat's distinctive design and evenly distributed weight make it easy to generate power and precisely place shots. The Pro-Player Bat is a prime example of Yashi Brand's dedication to quality, thanks to its flawless design and meticulous attention to detail.

If you want to get the best cricket bats English willow, Yashi Sports is your one-spot shop for all your cricket gear. SHOP NOW!

[superchartisland]

Super International Cricket (Beam/Nintendo, SNES, 1995)

I played Super International Cricket alongside Brian Lara Cricket, and it did it no favours at all. While doing a great deal of the same things, down to very similar-looking inset animations for umpire decisions, it manages to be more complicated while feeling less free. It also looks and sounds much worse. I can’t imagine it sparking interest in the sport in the same way.

It looks a fair bit like International Superstar Soccer, which I assume is a coincidence despite the titles (ISS was by Konami and this is by Australians Beam Software, previously Melbourne House of Way of the Exploding Fist fame), but what works for a flowing football match doesn’t work for a static cricket match. The scrolling on the bowler’s run-up takes out of the moment more than it adds in and I missed the close-up view and charming detail of Brian Lara Cricket fast.

Bowling and batting both come down to making choices between different options on the SNES’s four buttons while adding direction, but the range of choices doesn’t lead to any real-feeling interactions with the ball. Having a button for an appeal while fielding just made me never want to hear the muddy digitised “howzat!” speech sample every again.

The single worst thing, though, is the mix-up that frequently occurs when batting and trying to move towards the ball. As soon as you hit it, the controls switch to those for running, and the input carries forward into starting a run, even if you’ve just nudged to ball to a lurking opponent and trying to fit in a run is a monumentally terrible decision. I lost count of the number of times that my batsmen got run out through this, and it never got any less frustrating.

The success of such a game up alongside such a superior competitor has one obvious explanation. Brian Lara Cricket was released for Sega’s Mega Drive console, and Super International Cricket for Nintendo’s SNES. In 1995 I knew several people with Mega Drives, one person with a SNES, and no one with both. The majority of people playing games who fancied a bit of console cricket were not choosing between Super International Cricket and Brian Lara Cricket, but between their console’s cricket game or nothing.

This is a split in games which isn’t matched by any other medium I can think of. When people had to choose between Betamax and VHS, there was a lot more crossover between what was released on the two than between the Mega Drive and SNES and Amiga, each with their own key exclusive games. Mega Drive vs SNES was a popular partisan argument that it was easy to come across when looking at anything relating to either, encouraged by the companies themselves. The most similar thing I can think of is playground arguments over Manchester United vs Liverpool or similar. If you spent hundreds of pounds on a SNES and were reading stuff on the side of the SNES everywhere, that’s a significant force to get you to say that your console’s game is the better one.

This supporting of sides has been a part of games for as long as I can remember (from my earliest games magazines I got instantly that Commodore 64 vs Spectrum was a thing) and it’s only in modern streaming-subscription-exclusive times that anything looks like catching up. The poisonousness within games culture has many causes, but the inbuilt playing out of consumerism as a sports rivalry, as represented by the absurd facing off of rival cricket exclusives, is right up there.

Gallup cartridge chart, Computer Trade Weekly 3 July 1995 (chart for week to 24 June 1995)

[daedriccasuel]

a bunch of ideas for a comic series i made when i was younger

HERO: Captain Australia 

Alias: Banjo Mellingong 

POWERS: Slight healing factor, above average strength, good self defence skills

COSTUME: Black shirt with green trench coat and boots. Dark green hood

BACKSTORY: An Aboriginal Australian who takes the law into his own hands after the desecration of his hometown from a large mining company. He fights for the downtrodden people, including Aboriginal peoples of Australia, LGBT people, and the poor. 

I remember loving this character when I wrote him because he felt so real. Street level hero, nothing too fancy. Isn’t incredibly powerful, only has average skill in most types of combat - wields modified cricket bats when needed.  

[cleverwordsandotherstuffilike]

*The term “bank teller” originated in the wake of the 1929 stock market crash, when banks began hiring low-paid workers to “tell” throngs of frantic depositors that their money was gone. * The city of Slaughter, Texas (population: 11,284), has never had a homicide occur within its boundaries. * Rubbing Tabasco on one’s upper lip before bedtime is an effective temporary cure for sleep apnea. * Moths are unable to fly during an earthquake. * Ingesting small doses of ink over an extended period of time will change your eye color slightly. * Scientists estimate that sleep lost due to daylight saving time reduces the average lifespan by nearly two full months. * No NCAA basketball team from a school located in its state’s capital has ever won the national championship. * Shortly before his execution, Timothy McVeigh constructed a scale model of the Lincoln Memorial with soda crackers. * Strains of bacteria similar to E. coli have been found in spent printer cartridges – but only in the cyan ones. Scientists have no explanation. * The Australian aborigine language has over 30 words for “dust.” * Fewer divorces occur in families in which the children wake their parents before 6 a.m. on Saturdays. * For over a decade, the number of drive-by shootings has been directly proportional to increased gas prices. * Two-thirds of all the world’s coriander comes from a single valley in Italy. * Baking soda and vinegar will make your scrambled eggs fluffier. * Ancient Egyptians used molted cobra skins as condoms. * The National Weather Service will pay $30 for the rights to any original photograph of lightning. * Nearly three percent of the ice in Antarctic glaciers is penguin urine. * In the weightlessness of space a frozen pea will explode if it comes in contact with Pepsi. * Smearing a small amount of dog feces on an insect bite will relieve the itching and swelling. * The Boeing 747 is capable of flying upside-down if it weren’t for the fact that the wings would shear off when trying to roll it over. * The trucking company Elvis Presley worked at as a young man was owned by Frank Sinatra. * The only golf course on the island  of Tonga has 15 holes, and there’s no penalty if a monkey steals your golf ball. * SCUBA divers cannot pass gas at depths of 33 feet or below. * Catfish are the only animals that naturally have an ODD number of whiskers. * Polar bears can eat as many as 86 penguins in a single sitting. * The Air Force’s F-117 fighter uses aerodynamics discovered during research into how bumblebees fly. * Silly Putty was “discovered” as the residue left behind after the first latex condoms were produced. It’s not widely publicized for obvious reasons. * The volume of water that the Giant Sequoia tree consumes in a 24-hour period contains enough suspended minerals to pave 17.3 feet of a 4-lane concrete freeway. * King Henry VIII slept with a gigantic axe. * Because printed materials are being replaced by CD-ROM, microfiche and the Internet, libraries that previously sank into their foundations under the weight of their books are now in danger of collapsing in extremely high winds. * Touch-tone telephone keypads were originally planned to have buttons for Police and Fire Departments, but they were replaced with * and # when the project was cancelled in favour of developing the 911 system. * Human saliva has a boiling point three times that of regular water. * Calvin, of the “Calvin and Hobbes” comic strip, was patterned after President Calvin Coolidge, who had a pet tiger as a boy. * Watching an hour-long soap opera burns more calories than watching a three-hour baseball game. * You can actually sharpen the blades on a pencil sharpener by wrapping your pencils in aluminum foil before inserting them. * Urine from male cape water buffaloes is so flammable that some tribes use it for lantern fuel. * Due to the angle at which the optic nerve enters the brain, staring at a blue surface during sex greatly increases the intensity of orgasms. * Never hold your nose and cover your mouth when sneezing, as it can blow out your eyeballs. * Due to the natural “momentum” of the ocean, saltwater fish cannot swim backwards. * Because of the curvature of the Earth, it is nearly three miles farther to fly from Amarillo, Texas to Louisville, Kentucky than it is to return from Louisville to Amarillo. * The original inspiration for Barbie dolls comes from dolls developed by German propagandists in the late 1930s to impress young girls with the ideal notions of Aryan features. The proportions for Barbie were actually based on those of Eva Braun. * The Venezuelan brown bat can detect and dodge individual raindrops in mid-flight, arriving safely back at his cave completely dry. * The Mongolian pony is the only animal other than an elephant capable of fending off an attack by a healthy adult tiger. * Because of their unusual shape, Hershey’s Kisses contain more calories per ounce than the same amount of chocolate in other forms. * If you tar and feather a 2x4 and place it in your yard, it will ward off bats. * The largest home in the United States, North Carolina’s Biltmore House, was originally intended to be the official residence of a new monarchy to be established when the South rose again. * Nobody born in Kentucky has ever been elected to Congress. * In an effort to improve the nutritional value of its “Shamrock shakes,” McDonald’s colors them with broccoli extract. * Winston Churchill was born with a third nipple, which he removed himself with nail-clippers at the age of 14. * If you place a fresh Viagra tablet in a houseplant’s soil every six months, the plant will not wilt. * The noun “sled” originates from the name of a 18th-century mountaineer from Finland, Schletz Linden, whose body was used by his climbing partner to slide down a mountain during a winter storm after he froze to death. * If a cricket were the size of Mount Rushmore, it could jump to the moon. * The increase in the amount of metals mined and brought to the surface of the earth in order to manufacture SUVs has caused higher tides in the Northern Hemisphere. * Children conceived on airplanes never suffer from motion sickness. * Blue water in a toilet bowl causes males to urinate 7 percent more. * The Yanomami tribesmen of the Amazon basin can track game birds by the slight difference in warmth their shadows create on the forest floor as they fly by, for up to an hour after the birds have departed. * Rapid deforestation has decreased the friction of the surface of the Earth, causing it to spin infinitesimally faster and thereby cool the air, combating global warming. * The flush toilet was invented in Flushing,  NY. * On occasions when the sun is shining brightly on falling snowflakes, they contain enough ionic charge to stun insects. Observation of this phenomenon inspired the invention of the bug zapper. * Over the last two decades, more Americans died of heart attacks while watching horror movies in movie theatres than died while sky-diving. * Every common food product, with the exception of fish and veal, contains some traces of peanut enzymes. * The number of words in the Bible divided by the number of verses equals exactly 666. * An 18th-century law still on the books in Vermont makes it illegal for a woman to lick a stamp in a public place. * Constipation kills nearly twice as many people as diarrhea, mainly because the former mostly afflicts the old and weak while the latter mostly affects young, strong children. * It is physically impossible to urinate and give blood at the same time. * If you fill a standard 750ml wine bottle with live hornets, their angry buzzing will resonate at precisely the right frequency to shatter the glass. * During his famous “Blue Period,” Pablo Picasso invented the substance that eventually became known as Play-Doh. * Every year in the fall, Niagara   Falls is shut down for maintenance for 24 hours. The flow is diverted using a massive series of pipes and spigots built for this purpose in 1837.

Are these important facts true? They are from the internet so I think they must be.

[sashbybspb302]

Fan Activation

There are many aspects to fan activations and becoming innovative with unique ideas. According to an article by Blair Hughes, Cricket Australia have a ‘fan first approach’ (2019) to fan engagement.

Some examples of how Cricket Australia are catering to their fans at the Gabba Stadium in Brisbane involve:

Free public transport to and from the stadium

Pre-Zone fan

Security

‘Matchday’ app

‘MegaFan’ app

Some of their fan activations include trivia questions on the screens, Colour Crew who do face painting, and they also have a Pool Deck which can hold up to 140 fans at a time. This deck includes a free tropical towel and wristband, and a pool that they are able to use to cool off in and enjoy while watching the cricket game. 

This not only means that fans can enjoy the cricket in a pool, but friends of those fans are more likely to come and be involved in the day whether they like cricket or not.

Pool Deck at the Gabba Stadium (2017)

Tradeable Bits created a detailed fan activation checklist which can assist in the fan experience of an event. Below, the first four points have been discussed in detail (https://tradablebits.com/blog/the-fan-activation-checklist-5-things-to-consider)

1. Listen to your fans and analyze the market Event management must be able to capture the attention of their fans, as well as keeping the activation relevant. Social media can assist managers in understanding what the fans would like to see. They can use polls, simple questions, and even providing an email address for fans to send in their opinions.

2. Be innovative Being innovative means to create an idea that is original, such as Etihad Stadium in Melbourne's CBD who then became Marvel Stadium through a partnership with The Walt Disney Company. Staff are seen to be roaming around the stadium dressed up as the comic characters ‘Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor and Captain America’ (The Guardian, 2018).

3. Use corporate sponsorships to diversify your content Allowing sponsors to become involved in activations allows for more diversity. Such as when Milo became a significant partner with Cricket Australia. Through this partnership, they created bucket hats, plastic bats, drink bottles and even the program Milo In2Cricket. 

4. Trigger emotions Such as the above activation with Milo and Cricket Australia, it allows parents to feel as though their child will have a great time in the program. And the yellow colour gives off a sense of happiness, joy and positivity. Yellow and green are also Australian colours which makes participants feel as though they are connected to their country and feeling proud of being involved.  Another way that activations can trigger emotions is through meet and greets with their favourite athletes and teams. This allows them an opportunity to take photos with them and get to know them rather than just seeing them from a distance on the field and in the media.

Milo Cricket (2015)

Guardian Sport. (2018). Marvel-lous idea? Etihad stadium renamed after walt disney deal. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/may/24/marvel-ous-entertainment-etihad-stadium-re-named-after-walt-disney-deal.

Pool Deck at the Gabba Stadium [Photograph]. (2017). https://thegabba.com.au/TheVenue/Latest-News/Cricket-Australia-announces-return-of-pool-deck-at.aspx. 

Hughes, B. (2019). Putting fan engagement to the test. Australian Leisure Management 132(N/A). 50, 52. https://search-informit-org.ezproxy.holmesglen.edu.au/doi/epdf/10.3316/informit.531809337496873. 

Milo Cricket [Photograph]. (2015). https://www.saca.com.au/news/come-and-try-milo-in2cricket/2015-10-07. 

[crickehockey]

Everything you should know about the game of cricket and what cricket equipment you will need to participate in this sport

Everything you should know about the game of cricket and what cricket equipment you will need to participate in this sport

Cricket, which originated in England, is a popular bat and ball game that is extremely popular among Brits, to this day. The sport consists of two competing teams with 11 players each. Although it is not a physical contact sport like rugby, cricket can be very dangerous to play, and you need the right equipment to reduce your chances of severe injury.

Think, for example, of the untimely death of 25-year-old Phillip Hughes, an Australian cricketer who died of internal bleeding after a cricket ball struck him behind the left ear and just below the helmet, during a match between South Australia and New South Wales in 2019.

In countries like England, the distinctive sound of a cricket ball against a willow bat is well known in many communities and the sport is played both professionally and socially, but to be properly equipped for cricket, you will need a decent cricket bat, as well as cricket clothes, shoes, a helmet, knee guards, gloves and of course some balls. This equipment is normally carried in a specially designed cricket bag.

A typical cricket ball is very hard and made with a cork base which is tightly wrapped in string and covered with thick, white or red leather. The cricket bat is probably one of the most popular items bought by players from around the world. Cricket bats are made of willow and consist of a blade and a long, sturdy handle. The blade is smooth and flat on one side and slightly rounded on the other side.

But because we live in a world where branding and leading brand names like Gray Nicolls, GM, and Kookaburra have become important in the sporting industry – often because of the financial benefit it holds for sponsors and the fact that certain great qualities are associated with certain brand names.

Batsmen as well infielders on short leg and a silly point, must wear cricket helmets with face guards during a match. A cricket ball can reach a very high speed and as mentioned above, it can cause severe injuries or fatalities, if it strikes a player on the head or in the face.

Almost every cricket player, professional or inexperienced, has suffered some form of hand or finger injury during a match, which is why the importance of cricket gloves should never be underestimated. Cricket gloves are worn by batsmen and should be lightweight. It usually consists of flexible padding on the thumb and the first two fingers to allow for easy handling of the bat.

Cricket gloves word by batsmen differ from those worn by a wicketkeeper and fielders are not allowed to wear gloves during a match. As mentioned earlier, a cricket ball can cause serious and even fatal injury at high speed. Therefore, you will often also see that players wear special padding on the body. A batsman must wear padding on the hip, the thighs, knees and lower leg (knee pads), elbow, chest and arm, to protect his body from the hard cricket ball.

Padding should be made from high-quality, durable and lightweight material, so players can comfortably move between the wickets. Wicket-keeping pads also differ from the ones worn by batsmen. Cricket clothing and equipment is regulated by the laws of cricket and the typical clothing that cricketers are associated with is white trousers and a white Polo shirt, or cricket whites as they are more commonly known.

However, many country club matches allow players to dress in specially designed and branded uniform that represents their club.

Professional cricket is played in three different formats, namely test matches, one-day internationals and 20/20 international series, but 'street cricket' is a social form of cricket played in the streets, in parks or backyards of residential properties. While cricket has been around for many years, it is still gaining popularity with more people these days shopping online for the right gear and equipment.

Other cricket equipment that can also be purchased from well-established cricket equipment suppliers in England, includes stumps and bails, cricket practising nets and sight screens.

About us

As stockists of probably the largest selection of cricket and hockey equipment in the South of England, Cricket-Hockey.com has become a widely recognised and well-respected company in the sporting industry. As one of the UK's first online cricket and hockey equipment specialists, customers can be sure of the best service and competitive prices on all their equipment. They have a huge online range of cricket and hockey equipment suitable for players of all ages and abilities and they only sell stock which they have available, to ensure fast delivery and excellent customer service. Cricket-Hockey.com was established in 1999 as a trio-partnership between three friends, but it has since grown into a million-pound flourishing business with international relations. To find out what they can offer you, visit their website at http://www.cricket-hockey.com/en

[boloorsportsmania]

#844 Fresh talent and Hardik-Jadeja combo rule Canberra matches; Indian batsman had concussion but Australian players felt dizziness after losing to India in opening T20 match; Hardik-Jadeja’s epic 150 stand, Natarajan-Thakur’s bowling and Bumrah’s yorker helped India beat Australia in 3rd ODI; Real Madrid shocked in Champions league; Barca, ManCity,Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern cruise to 2nd round and more..:-)

Though India were hammered in Sydney by Australia, there were a few positives especially in batting. In 3rd match dead rubber being played in Canberra, India finally won the toss and chose to bat. India made multiple changes. Saini, Mayank, SHami and Chahal were rested and were replaced by Shubman Gill, Natarajan, Kuldeep and Shardul Thakur. Abbott dismissed Dhawan early on for 16. India 26-1. Virat and SHubman had a 56 run stand before Agar trapped later plumb in front. He made mistake sweeping on middle stump line which is risky.  Shreyas and Virat took India past 100. Zampa dismissed Shreyas for 19 against the run of play. India 116-3. Rahul was dismissed by Agar in similar manner like the way he dismissed Gill. India 123-4. Virat scored hyet another fifty before Hazelwood dismissed him for 3rd time in this series. India 152-5. Jadeja and Hardik Pandya consolidated for a while and took India past 200. In last 5 overs they went berserk. They hit as many as 72 runs to take India to 302. Hardik was unbeaten at 92 from 76 balls. Jadeja hit 66 from 50 balls. They scored 150 runs in 18 overs which was stunning. It was a good total on a pitch where there was something for the bowlers. Bumrah bowled better this time around. He pitched the ball and made the ball swing a bit. Natarajan castled Labuschagne for 7. Australia 25-1. Finch was dropped by Dhawan and then bumrah. Sharduk Thakur gave India a big break through when dismissed Steve Smith down the leg side for 7. Australia 56-2. Henriques and Finch took Australia past 100. Against the run of play SHarduk Thakur dismissed Henriques for 22. Australia 117-3. India had a good period where they reduced Australia to 158-5 from 117-2 which included wicket of dangerous Finch for 75. Carey and Maxwell took Australia past 200 and kept Australia in the hunt. Virat and Rahul combined to run Carey out for 42. That gave India some respite. Maxwell then the took the attack to India. He hit Natarajan and Jadeja for huge sixes. Agar gave him good company. They had 58 run stand in 7 overs before Bumrah castled Maxwell with a beautiful yorker. Bumrah has been resisting to bowl yorkers in death off late in international cricket. That helped NZ win 3-0 as well. Australia just needed 35 from 34 when Maxwell was dismissed. Natarajan then bowled well in the death. India won the match by 13 runs. It was a much needed win.

India took this confidence to first T20. It was played in same pitch as 3rd ODI. Australia won the toss and chose to bowl. STarc castled Dhawan with a beauty. India 11-1. Virat and Rahul played well before India captain was dismissed surprisingly by Swepson for 9. India 48-2. Rahul and Samson took the attack to India. India were 86-2 after 11 overs when Henriques got Australia back. His spell of 3-22 helped Australia reduce India to 114-6 from 86-2. Jadeja’s lusty hits in last 3 overs helped India to 161-7. 64 runs was scored in last 5 overs. Jadeja had hamstring injury which hurt his movements. H was hit in the helmet in last over. Surprisingly, doctor and physio didn’t visit to check Jadeja. He hit 9 runs after that too. In the break, Jadeja was seen by doctor. Doctor advised him not to play. Chahal came in as concussion replacement. Langer and Finch didn’t like it when match refree informed them about this. They probably felt issue was more with hamstring rather than concussion. But nobody can go against doctor’s advise in such cases. Australia had a great start. They had 50 plus stand and were cruising. Both Finch and Short were dropped of consecutive balls by Manish and Virat. Deepak Chahar was the unlucky bowler. Chahal gave India breakthrough in his first over when he dismissed Australian captain Finch for 35. Smith looked in hurried mode yet again like he was in IPL. Chahal dismissed him for 12. Australia 72-2. Natarajan trapped Maxwell in front. Australia 75-3. Short and Henriques took Australia past 100. When 49 was needed from 31 balls, Natarajan dismissed Short for 34. Chahal dismissed Wade of last ball of his spell. Australia 122-5. 40 runs was needed of last 3 overs. Natarajan bowled brilliantly yet again. His 3-30 and Chahal’s 3-25 spell helped India beat Australia by 11 runs. It is a point of discussion whether Jadeja’s replacement was d=right or wrong. Finch and Virat answered it in right way. Former said that doctor’s advise cant be ruled out in such cases. Virat told that it could have gone against them too. It worked today and it might not some other day.

In Champions league, Shakthar shocked Real Madrid 2-0. Inter Milan beat Monchengladbach 3-2. In this group, Monchegladbach are with 8 points Real Madrid and Shakthar tied with 7 points. Inter Milan have 5 points. All 4 teams can still qualify. Barca, Man City, Bayern and Chelsea qualified for 2nd round. Liverpool beat Ajax and PSG beat ManU. PSG, Leipzig and ManU are all tied at 9 points in their group with 1 match left.  

[gokul2181]

MI vs KKR: Mumbai Indians crush Kolkata Knight Riders by 8 wickets, claim fifth straight win | Cricket News

New Post has been published on https://jordarnews.in/mi-vs-kkr-mumbai-indians-crush-kolkata-knight-riders-by-8-wickets-claim-fifth-straight-win-cricket-news/

MI vs KKR: Mumbai Indians crush Kolkata Knight Riders by 8 wickets, claim fifth straight win | Cricket News

ABU DHABI: The Mumbai Indians juggernaut rolled on unabated as they recorded their fifth straight win with an eight-wicket mauling of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL on Friday. A tidy bowling effort by Mumbai Indians ensured that KKR were restricted to 148 for five after an unbeaten 53 by pace spearhead Pat Cummins. Then, the defending champions rode on a blistering 44-ball 78* by Quinton de Kock, to chase down the target with 3.1 overs to spare. BLOG | SCORECARD | POINTS TABLE De Kock, who struck nine fours and three sixes and skipper Rohit Sharma (35 off 36 balls), laid the foundation for the emphatic win with their 94-run first-wicket stand. The two openers took the KKR attack to cleansers with de Kock being the more aggressive one. The South African notched up his fifty in just 25 balls, with a maximum over deep-square leg. It rained boundaries for Mumbai as the two dominated the KKR bowling attack.

A comprehensive win for the @mipaltan here in Abu Dhabi. They win by 8 wickets against #KKR.Quinton de Kock remai… https://t.co/b9TEFZzLfp

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 1602868876000

Pacer Prasidh Krishna (0/30) faced their brunt, conceding three fours in the third over and de Kock followed that up by hammering Cummins (0/28) for two successive fours, both pull shots, in the next. De Kock kept playing shots all around the park and was again brutal on Prasidh, whom he hit for two fours and a six, in the seventh over, which fetched Mumbai 16 runs. KKR tried to pull things back by removing Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav (10) in quick succession, but de Kock continued his onslaught with gusto and took the side home in the company of Hardik Pandya (21* off 11 balls), who played a small cameo.

Quinton de Kock is adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock of 78* off 44 deliveries.#Dream11IPL https://t.co/b0BHSsHbyn

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 1602870282000

Earlier, after a top-order failure, it was Cummins (53* off 36 balls 5×4;2×6) and new skipper Eoin Morgan (39 not out off 29 balls; 2×4; 2×6), who conjured 87 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket, to pull KKR out of trouble after they were reeling at 61 for five in the 11th over. Opting to bat, Kolkata lost opener Rahul Tripathi (7) early, courtesy a sensational catch by Suryakumar Yadav at point, in the third over off Trent Boult (1/32). It became 33 for two as Nitish Rana (5) perished cheaply after he was caught by de Kock off Nathan Coulter-Nile (1/51) as a short ball worked for the Australian pacer in the sixth over. Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar (2/18) struck twice in the eighth over, removing the young Shubham Gill (21) and Dinesh Karthik (4) off successive balls and reduced Kolkata to 42 for four. While Gill holed out to Kieron Pollard at long-on in an attempt to accelerate the run-rate, Karthik played onto the stumps at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. KKR lost half their side for 61 as Andre Russell perished for 12. A bouncer from Jasprit Bumrah (1/22) did the trick as Russell lobbed off a sitter to de Kock. Cummins smashed Nathan Coulter-Nile for two fours and a maximum in the 13th over, which fetched KKR 16 runs and then made optimum use of a life he got. Cummins and Morgan added 53 in the last five overs, and they were particularly brutal against Coulter-Nile, who leaked 51 runs in his four overs.

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[saltycloudstudent]

Rahul Dravid Biography

A man who scored tirelessly for India and kept his country above all personal achievements, Rahul Dravid is regarded as “The Wall” of Indian cricket. One who has faced the most number of deliveries in Test Cricket, Rahul Dravid is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest Indian batsmen ever to play the game.

Dravid is one of the few Indian batsmen who have scored a century in all test playing nations. In his illustrious career, he has scored nearly 25,000 international runs.

Facing the new-ball with ease and thereby soaking all the pressure was Dravid’s biggest strength. Rahul Dravid was as a good a batsman in sub-continent conditions as overseas.

Rahul Dravid's Personal Information

Rahul Dravid Age: Rahul Dravid is currently 47 years old. He made his international debut at 23 years of age and played for 15 years at the highest level. He played his last Test match on 24th January 2012. Rahul Dravid Birthday: Hailing from Karnataka, Rahul Dravid was born on 11th January 1973. This year marked Rahul Dravid’s 47th birthday.

Rahul Dravid Height: Standing at 5’11 inches, Rahul Dravid was one of the fittest cricketers in Indian cricket during his time. Dravid’s adequate height always helped him in playing tall bowlers comfortably.

Rahul Dravid Education: Rahul Dravid completed his education from St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Karnataka. He did his graduation from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bangalore University, Karnataka.

Rahul Dravid's Family Information

Rahul Dravid was born on 11th January 1973 in a Marathi Family. His father, Sharad Dravid worked in a company that makes jams and preserves, while his mother, Pushpa worked as a professor of architecture at the University Visvesaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore.

Rahul Dravid is married to Vijeta Pendharkar, a surgeon from Nagpur. The duo has two children. To know more about Rahul Dravid’s family and his love story with Vijeta: Click Here

Rahul Dravid's Career Stats

Domestic Cricket: Rahul Dravid made his Ranji Trophy debut in February 1991. He exhibited a stellar performance in the 1991-91 season, scoring 380 runs at an average of 63.30. The excellent performance meant he was selected for the South Zone Cricket Team in Duleep Trophy. Dravid performed consistently in the first-class cricket for the next few years; however, what caught everyone’s attention was his performance for the India-A team against England-A in 1994-95. As a result, on 20th June 1996, he made his international debut against England.

International Cricket: Rahul Dravid’s first step in international cricket was during the India-England Test series in 1996. He made his Test debut on 20th June 1996 against England and exhibited his class in only his first innings of his international career. Coming in a difficult period, Dravid struck a well compiled 95 before getting out of Lewis. His knock made sure India register a substantial lead in the first innings.

He made his One-Day International debut on 3rd April 1996 against Sri Lanka. He didn’t take too long to become a mainstay in the Indian team across formats. In his illustrious career, Rahul Dravid has not only scored in sub-continent conditions but was also a rock-solid player in overseas as well.

In his illustrious career, Rahul Dravid has scored nearly 25,000 international runs.

To know about his journey from his junior cricket days to international cricket: Click Here

Rahul Dravid Awards & Achievements

Achievements:

1. Dravid was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1999 for his precious contributions towards Indian cricket.

2. Dravid was honoured with the “Man of the Tournament award” in the 1999 World Cup.

3. He was also been rewarded with the ICC Player of the year award in 2004 (also known as Sir Garfield’s sobers trophy).

4. Dravid received the Padma Shri Award in 2004.

5. He was also been named as the captain of the ICC test cricket team of the year.

6. Along with late Dev Anand, he was honoured with NDTV Indian of the year Lifetime achievement award in 2011.

Records:

1. Rahul Dravid holds the record for the highest numbers of balls faced along with the longest time spent on the pitch as a batsman. In his career, he has faced 31,258 deliveries and spent 44,152 minutes on the crease.

2. Rahul is among the few Indians to have scored a century against all the Test-playing nations.

3. Rahul Dravid is the only player to score more than 10,000 runs at number three position in Test cricket. He has scored in total 10524 runs in the 219 test innings, studded with 28 centuries and 50 half-centuries

4. Dravid also holds the record for the highest number of partnership runs i.e. 32,039 and also holds the record for the most number of runs shared with Sachin Tendulkar in a partnership of 6920 runs which included 20-century stands as well.

5. Rahul Dravid holds the record for taking the most number of catches in international cricket. He has 210 catches to his name in international cricket.

Rahul Dravid's: Lesser Known Facts

1. Dravid’s father used to work in a jam factory and that was the same company (Kissan) which went on to hire Dravid as their brand ambassador whilst giving him the name “Jammy”.

2. He is the only Indian to score 4 consecutive hundreds.

3. He is the only non-Australian player to address the Bradman oration on December 14, 2012, at the war memorial in Canberra.

4. He was recognized as the sexiest personality in sports in India by an online survey in 2004-05 where Yuvraj Singh and Sania Mirza were other players in contention.

5. Whilst he has always been recognized as a seasoned player for India, not many people know that he got a passion for hockey and also featured for his team in junior state hockey before heading towards cricket.

6. It was once been said by the great Aussie bowler Glenn McGrath, “If there’s any player who can feature in the great Australian team of the 90s, it’s Rahul Dravid”.

7. He also holds a record for being the only player to stay not out for 120 innings even without scoring a single run in the process.

Rahul Dravid's Controversies

1. When Rahul Dravid declared the innings with Sachin batting on 194: Unarguably, this is the biggest controversy in Rahul Dravid’s career. The Multan Test in 2004 is famous for Virender Sehwag’s 309. However, what followed after that knock in that test became a huge controversy. Post Sehwag’s heroics, Sachin Tendulkar got hold of the innings and smashed Pakistan to all parts, taking India past 600-run mark. Sachin Tendulkar was batting at 194 and Yuvraj Singh fell in the form of the fifth wicket. To everyone surprise, stand-in captain Rahul Dravid declared the innings, leading to a huge controversy. By his own admission, Rahul Dravid has been questioned his decision to declare for more than 1000 times in his career.

2. Ball-Tampering in 2004: Rahul Dravid was accused of ball-tampering during the Australia series in 2003. In the game against Zimbabwe, Rahul Dravid was caught on TV, rubbing a cough lozenge on the shiny side of the white ball. But with the evidence on camera going against, Lloyd decided to take action against Dravid under clause 2.10 of the ICC’s code of conduct. The coach John Wright, however, had backed him later stating that it was unintentional from Dravid.

3. Greg Chappel Controversy: Although Dravid hasn’t been someone who has been involved in many controversies during his career, it was one of those rare events when Greg Chappell was been slammed by Sachin Tendulkar for being a “Ring Master” in the team and Dravid maintained his silence over the whole issue.

Rahul Dravid's Net Worth

1. Rahul Dravid’s net worth is estimated to be around $23 million.

2. Dravid reportedly earned around 5 crores per annum in the last 2 years of his stint as the head coach of the India A and India Under-19 teams.

3. Having become the head of NCA, he draws a much higher check.

4. Dravid boasts of some good luxury cars like Benz, BMW, and an Audi which are worth 6 crores in total.

5. The current value of his luxury house in Indira Nagar Bengaluru is estimated to be around 4.2 crores.

6. A lot of his income comprises of brand endorsements which include big brands like Reebok, Pepsi, Kissan, Castrol, Hutch, Karnataka Tourism, Max Life, Bank of Baroda etc.

Rahul Dravid's Social Media

While his compatriots like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman are on all social media, Rahul Dravid prefers to stay out of it. Rahul Dravid isn’t very active on social media platforms. He has a Facebook account that has more than 1 million followers but doesn’t post a lot of stuff there.

Click Here to know some of his lesser-known social media activities and why he is not on social media.

Use: RahulDravidage,  RahulDravidbirthday,  RahulDravidbiography,  RahulDravidnetworth,  RahulDravidheight

[sportswik]

Rahul Dravid Biography

A man who scored tirelessly for India and kept his country above all personal achievements, Rahul Dravid is regarded as “The Wall” of Indian cricket. One who has faced the most number of deliveries in Test Cricket, Rahul Dravid is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest Indian batsmen ever to play the game.

Dravid is one of the few Indian batsmen who have scored a century in all test playing nations. In his illustrious career, he has scored nearly 25,000 international runs.

Facing the new-ball with ease and thereby soaking all the pressure was Dravid’s biggest strength. Rahul Dravid was as a good a batsman in sub-continent conditions as overseas.

Rahul Dravid's Personal Information

Rahul Dravid Age: Rahul Dravid is currently 47 years old. He made his international debut at 23 years of age and played for 15 years at the highest level. He played his last Test match on 24th January 2012. Rahul Dravid Birthday: Hailing from Karnataka, Rahul Dravid was born on 11th January 1973. This year marked Rahul Dravid’s 47th birthday.

Rahul Dravid Height: Standing at 5’11 inches, Rahul Dravid was one of the fittest cricketers in Indian cricket during his time. Dravid’s adequate height always helped him in playing tall bowlers comfortably.

Rahul Dravid Education: Rahul Dravid completed his education from St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Karnataka. He did his graduation from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bangalore University, Karnataka.

Rahul Dravid's Family Information

Rahul Dravid was born on 11th January 1973 in a Marathi Family. His father, Sharad Dravid worked in a company that makes jams and preserves, while his mother, Pushpa worked as a professor of architecture at the University Visvesaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore.

Rahul Dravid is married to Vijeta Pendharkar, a surgeon from Nagpur. The duo has two children. To know more about Rahul Dravid’s family and his love story with Vijeta: Click Here

Rahul Dravid's Career Stats

Domestic Cricket: Rahul Dravid made his Ranji Trophy debut in February 1991. He exhibited a stellar performance in the 1991-91 season, scoring 380 runs at an average of 63.30. The excellent performance meant he was selected for the South Zone Cricket Team in Duleep Trophy. Dravid performed consistently in the first-class cricket for the next few years; however, what caught everyone’s attention was his performance for the India-A team against England-A in 1994-95. As a result, on 20th June 1996, he made his international debut against England.

International Cricket: Rahul Dravid’s first step in international cricket was during the India-England Test series in 1996. He made his Test debut on 20th June 1996 against England and exhibited his class in only his first innings of his international career. Coming in a difficult period, Dravid struck a well compiled 95 before getting out of Lewis. His knock made sure India register a substantial lead in the first innings.

He made his One-Day International debut on 3rd April 1996 against Sri Lanka. He didn’t take too long to become a mainstay in the Indian team across formats. In his illustrious career, Rahul Dravid has not only scored in sub-continent conditions but was also a rock-solid player in overseas as well.

In his illustrious career, Rahul Dravid has scored nearly 25,000 international runs.

To know about his journey from his junior cricket days to international cricket: Click Here

Rahul Dravid Awards & Achievements

Achievements: 1. Dravid was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1999 for his precious contributions towards Indian cricket. 2. Dravid was honoured with the “Man of the Tournament award” in the 1999 World Cup. 3. He was also been rewarded with the ICC Player of the year award in 2004 (also known as Sir Garfield’s sobers trophy). 4. Dravid received the Padma Shri Award in 2004. 5. He was also been named as the captain of the ICC test cricket team of the year. 6. Along with late Dev Anand, he was honoured with NDTV Indian of the year Lifetime achievement award in 2011.

Records: 1. Rahul Dravid holds the record for the highest numbers of balls faced along with the longest time spent on the pitch as a batsman. In his career, he has faced 31,258 deliveries and spent 44,152 minutes on the crease. 2. Rahul is among the few Indians to have scored a century against all the Test-playing nations. 3. Rahul Dravid is the only player to score more than 10,000 runs at number three position in Test cricket. He has scored in total 10524 runs in the 219 test innings, studded with 28 centuries and 50 half-centuries. 4. Dravid also holds the record for the highest number of partnership runs i.e. 32,039 and also holds the record for the most number of runs shared with Sachin Tendulkar in a partnership of 6920 runs which included 20-century stands as well. 5. Rahul Dravid holds the record for taking the most number of catches in international cricket. He has 210 catches to his name in international cricket.

Rahul Dravid's: Lesser Known Facts

1. Dravid’s father used to work in a jam factory and that was the same company (Kissan) which went on to hire Dravid as their brand ambassador whilst giving him the name “Jammy”. 2. He is the only Indian to score 4 consecutive hundreds. 3. He is the only non-Australian player to address the Bradman oration on December 14, 2012, at the war memorial in Canberra. 4. He was recognized as the sexiest personality in sports in India by an online survey in 2004-05 where Yuvraj Singh and Sania Mirza were other players in contention. 5. Whilst he has always been recognized as a seasoned player for India, not many people know that he got a passion for hockey and also featured for his team in junior state hockey before heading towards cricket. 6. It was once been said by the great Aussie bowler Glenn McGrath, “If there’s any player who can feature in the great Australian team of the 90s, it’s Rahul Dravid”. 7. He also holds a record for being the only player to stay not out for 120 innings even without scoring a single run in the process.

Rahul Dravid's Controversies

1. When Rahul Dravid declared the innings with Sachin batting on 194: Unarguably, this is the biggest controversy in Rahul Dravid’s career. The Multan Test in 2004 is famous for Virender Sehwag’s 309. However, what followed after that knock in that test became a huge controversy. Post Sehwag’s heroics, Sachin Tendulkar got hold of the innings and smashed Pakistan to all parts, taking India past 600-run mark. Sachin Tendulkar was batting at 194 and Yuvraj Singh fell in the form of the fifth wicket. To everyone surprise, stand-in captain Rahul Dravid declared the innings, leading to a huge controversy. By his own admission, Rahul Dravid has been questioned his decision to declare for more than 1000 times in his career. 2. Ball-Tampering in 2004: Rahul Dravid was accused of ball-tampering during the Australia series in 2003. In the game against Zimbabwe, Rahul Dravid was caught on TV, rubbing a cough lozenge on the shiny side of the white ball. But with the evidence on camera going against, Lloyd decided to take action against Dravid under clause 2.10 of the ICC’s code of conduct. The coach John Wright, however, had backed him later stating that it was unintentional from Dravid. 3. Greg Chappel Controversy: Although Dravid hasn’t been someone who has been involved in many controversies during his career, it was one of those rare events when Greg Chappell was been slammed by Sachin Tendulkar for being a “Ring Master” in the team and Dravid maintained his silence over the whole issue.

Rahul Dravid's Net Worth

1. Rahul Dravid’s net worth is estimated to be around $23 million. 2. Dravid reportedly earned around 5 crores per annum in the last 2 years of his stint as the head coach of the India A and India Under-19 teams. 3. Having become the head of NCA, he draws a much higher check. 4. Dravid boasts of some good luxury cars like Benz, BMW, and an Audi which are worth 6 crores in total. 5. The current value of his luxury house in Indira Nagar Bengaluru is estimated to be around 4.2 crores. 6. A lot of his income comprises of brand endorsements which include big brands like Reebok, Pepsi, Kissan, Castrol, Hutch, Karnataka Tourism, Max Life, Bank of Baroda etc.

Rahul Dravid's Social Media

While his compatriots like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman are on all social media, Rahul Dravid prefers to stay out of it. Rahul Dravid isn’t very active on social media platforms. He has a Facebook account that has more than 1 million followers but doesn’t post a lot of stuff there.

Click Here to know some of his lesser-known social media activities and why he is not on social media.

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[xtruss]

Goodbye Ted Dexter, Free Spirit, Cricket Thinker, Renaissance Man

The England and Sussex captain had aura, flair, majestic batting, and impossible glamour - and that was just on the field

— Mark Nicholas | 27 August, 2021

Ted Dexter batting in a ring of close-in fielders in Sydney, January 1963 Getty Images

I don't know when the Ted Dexter affectation started but I can guess. The last thing my father did with me before he died so young was to take me to see the 1968 Gillette Cup final at Lord's. This was during Ted's short comeback and when the great man strode to the wicket, I leapt about in excitement, cheering his name for all I was worth. He didn't get many but no matter, I had seen him live. That evening Dad bowled to me in the garden as I imitated every Dexter mannerism and stroke I had seen just a few hours before.

"There is about Dexter, when he chooses to face fast bowling with determination, a sort of air of command that lifts him above ordinary players. He seems to find time to play the fastest bowling and still retain dignity, something near majesty, as he does it." — John Arlott

I fell for the aura, and for the flair in those back-foot assaults on fast bowlers. Not for a minute do I think I saw the 70 in 75 balls against Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith at Lord's in 1963 but I feel as if I did - the power, the poise, the sheer gall of it. Nothing, not even the Beatles, could drag me from the television screen when he walked to the wicket, seemingly changing the picture from black-and-white to glorious technicolor as he took guard. Frankly, much of the Test cricket of the time was pretty dull but there was a frisson, an expectation, with Ted, just as there is when Ben Stokes is on his way today. It was all too brief, he had retired for good before I started proper school.

The West Indians of the day - Conrad Hunte, Garry Sobers, Wes Hall - thought that innings the best played against them by anybody, though Dexter himself would modestly say it was just one of those days where everything came together and the bat swung freely in just about the right arc. He was well miffed to be given out lbw, however, insisting later that the DRS would have saved him. Who knows how many careers might have been changed by the sliding doors of the DRS.

The word majesty sits well with Dexter's batting, primarily because of the way in which he attacked through the off side off his back foot. This is a stroke so difficult to master that more prosaic batters choose to ignore it. It is no great surprise that Dexter thought Gordon Greenidge and Martin Crowe the two most technically correct right-hand players that he saw, citing their ability to stay sideways-on and to play the ball alongside their body as the prime reason for the accolade.

He was a huge fan of Joe Root and became near apoplectic during the England captain's relatively lean spell a while ago, when he became square-on to the bowler and was playing in front of his body. This niggled so much that he wrote to Root without mincing his words. Though at first put out, Root soon saw the kindness in a man of Dexter's age and knowledge who bothered to write, and therefore returned an email of thanks with the observation that he took the point. Who knows to what degree? It is enough to say that this year Root has batted about as well as any man could have done, and no one has enjoyed each of these innings in Sri Lanka, India, and now at home as much as Dexter.

One final appeal: Dexter (fourth from left) watches as umpire Charlie Elliot gives John Inverarity out off Derek Underwood, The Oval, 1968 Getty Images

For the best part of a year now, Ted has been banging on about Dawid Malan: simply couldn't understand why England didn't pick him to bat at three. He cited the hundred in Perth in 2017 and this year's big scores for Yorkshire before predicting near-certain success with the method that brought those runs. It is sad, indeed, that he didn't live to see the fulfillment of his prophecy in Malan's fine innings yesterday. He liked the look of James Vince and Zak Crawley too, cricketers who stand tall and play with freedom. He got a lot right, this man of Radley, Cambridge, Sussex and England.

Tall himself, strong, handsome and impossibly glamorous, Edward Ralph Dexter caught everyone's eye. With the golden Susan Longfield on his arm, they cut quite a dash and cared little for the sniping that came from those less blessed. The enigma in him - and how! - was often confused with indifference, and though cricket has remained his other great love, it was never the be-all and end-all for him - a fact that made his appearances all the more cherished and his company all the more engaging. It is remarkable to think that he first retired as far back as 1965, before returning briefly in 1968 to make a double-hundred at Hastings against Kent and be immediately recalled to the England team for the Ashes. In the brilliant photograph (above) of the moment when Derek Underwood claims the final wicket at The Oval, Ted is caught spinning to appeal for lbw with a face that smacks of a lifelong instinct for competition and achievement.

"Ted was a man of moods, often caught up in theories, keen when the action was hot, seemingly uninterested when the game was dull... a big-time player, one who responded to atmosphere, liked action and enjoyed the chase and gamble. Maybe this was the reason he was drawn to horse racing so that a dull day stalking the covers might be enlivened for him by thoughts of how his money was faring on the 3:15 at Ascot or Goodwood." — John Snow

Richie Benaud and Dexter in Sydney during the 1963-64 Ashes Frank Albert Charles Burke / Fairfax Media/Getty Images

And Snow would know for he was not the type to rise above those grey days of county cricket when the stakes were so low. Snow and Dexter, my first heroes, along with Jimmy Greaves and George Best, Muhammad Ali, the Beatles and the Stones - all of them important figures at 29 Queensdale Road, where the young Nicholas grew up with vinyl records and cared-for willow, narrow-grained and well-oiled for the garden Test matches that England forever won.

Much of the 1960s were about rebellion, revolution even, in response to the age of austerity. After the long and mainly drab post-war years, the young simply broke free and changed pretty much anything they could get their hands on. Music and fashion led the way, leaving sport's establishment to stutter in their wake. Only a few precious players could transcend the inertia, using both their talent and expression to delight the crowds and influence the young. Cricket was my thing, Dexter and Snow were the wind beneath my wings.

In Snow there truly was rebellion, against authority and the system it supported. This was not so in Dexter's case, though his free spirit and somewhat cavalier approach to responsibility gave the impression of one determined to ruffle feathers. From the outset he adored sport, worked harder than some might think at his books, and embraced diversions with the enthusiasm of a man who had more to do than could ever be done.

In many ways Ted was a contradiction: at once a conformist, as shaped by the early years of his life at home and school, and a modernist, whose lateral thinking did much to reform the structure of English cricket during his time as chairman of selectors. Richie Benaud observed that Ted's imagination and drive "will be of great benefit to English cricket in years to come. Equally, I'm in no doubt that others will take the credit for it." The rebellion in Ted was hardly radicalised but he loved to challenge conservative thinking, to take risks and to invest in his life as an adventure. Both on and off the field, this made for a terrific watch.

The best of Ted: Dexter on his way to 70 against Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith at Lord's, June 1963 PA Photos

He thought the Hundred a good wheeze and admitted he would rather like to have played it himself. He was, of course, the original thinker about one-day cricket, supporting its conception as early as the late 1950s and then leading Sussex to the first two 60-over titles at Lord's in the Gillette Cup. He paid close attention to the tactics and convinced his men that following them to the letter would do the trick. Which it did. He pushed for four-day county matches 27 years before they were incorporated and he founded the idea of central contracts for England players long before other teams caught the bug.

He was proud of his part in the development of the spirit of cricket, applying golf's moral high ground to the game that made his name. Through his own PR agency, he became a pioneer in cricket's digital-technology revolution by inventing the system of Test match rankings that first announced itself under the banner of Deloitte and is now the ICC international rankings.

On a Zoom call a couple of months back, with tongue firmly in cheek, he said, "Having a rather high opinion of myself, I can safely say that had the rankings been in place sometime around the mid part of the 1963 summer, I would have been the No. 1-rated batsman in the world." We had special guests on these calls - Mike Atherton, Michael Vaughan, Ed Smith, Robin Marlar, Sir Tim Rice and more - all keen to share a drink, chew the cud and have a laugh with the game's most original and forward-thinking mind.

Champagne days: (from left) Fred Trueman, Dexter, David Sheppard and Colin Cowdrey celebrate after winning the Melbourne Test, January 1963 PA Photos/Getty Images

We cannot jump past golf without mentioning the game at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney when Ted partnered Norman Von Nida against Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. So enamoured of Ted's golf were they that Nicklaus suggested Ted follow him back to the USA for a crack at the tour. Player has long said that Ted was the best amateur ball-striker he ever saw and Von Nida just thanked him for securing the one-up triumph that day. Eighteen months ago Player told me that in their one head to head with each other, Ted beat him up the last at Sunningdale, receiving only four shots. "Little so-and-so," said Ted, "we played level!" They were due for a game last summer but Covid stood firmly between them. The last time I played with Ted, two summers ago now, he beat his age, shooting 83 round the Old Course at Sunningdale without breaking a sweat.

This was a man of Jaguar cars, Norton motorbikes, greyhounds, race horses and an Aztec light airplane that, in 1970, he piloted to Australia with his young family beside him, to cover the Ashes as a journalist. They flew 12,000 miles and made about two dozen stops at British military bases along the way.

Ted married the very beautiful Susan soon after returning from Australia and New Zealand in the spring of 1959. How she is hurting today. So too Genevieve, Tom and the grandchildren.

There was an eccentricity in him that was occasionally misunderstood but otherwise immensely appealing and it is with that in mind, that I turn to the man himself for the final word. It comes from his blog, which is a splendid read and will remain a platform for the family to share their thoughts about this husband, father and grandfather who brought us so much joy.

Dexter and Frank Worrell at a BBC interview with Peter West, August 1963 Harry Todd / Fox Photos/Getty Images

It was in my last term at Radley College when I had a hard game of rackets in the morning, scored 3 tries with two conversions for the 1st XV in the afternoon, was heard listening to operatic voices in the early evening, before repairing to the Grand Piano in the Mansion and knocking off a couple of Chopin preludes. "Quite the Renaissance man it seems" said my Social Tutor and I admit I liked the sound of it, if not quite knowing what it meant.

The Encyclopaedia Brittanica description of Renaissance man (or polymath) is as follows: one who seeks to develop skills in all areas of knowledge, in physical development and social accomplishment and in the arts. A point is made that you do not need to excel at any one activity. It is enough to tackle it seriously and see how far you get. I like the physical development bit obviously and I feel the social accomplishment bit is covered by my willingness to take on responsibilities all my life. Perhaps the arts bit is a bit shaky but a love for music, and particularly opera, and love of language - being fairly fluent in French, Italian, rudimentary German and Spanish - may be some modest qualifications."

Some different cat, huh. What a man. What a cricketer. Goodbye Ted, and thank you.